ATV rollbars: Quad bikes must now be fitted with OPDs

Japanese utility vehicles have been withdrawn from the market with mandatory safety requirements enforced from today, but dealers are concerned it will impact their sales.

Gone: Honda, like other Japanese quad bike manufacturers has pulled out of the Australia than fit operator protection devices they believe deliver no safety benefit.

Taiwanese and Chinese quad bikes have rolled into dealers’ saleyards to replace the Japanese giants Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, who have withdrawn from the market rather than fit operator protection devices they argue deliver no benefit.

New federal safety standards mean that from today all new and second-hand utility quad bikes sold in Australia must be fitted with operator protection devices and meet minimum stability requirements.

Taiwanese-made quadbikes Kymco and TGB are already selling in Australia fitted with OPD, as well as Chinese brands CF MOTO and Segway.

Mojo motorcycles director Michael Poynton, who imports CF MOTO and Kymco quad bikes, said all vehicles had been compliant since July last year.

“It (mandatory OPDs) seem to be accepted, though there’s still a bit of misinformation out there,” Mr Poynton said.

Save the Quad Bike in Australia and Dalby Moto dealer Craig Hartley said the loss of the big Japanese manufacturers from the market would knock out 40 per cent of dealers’ turnover.

“For farmers it’s the most used machine on the property and there productivity and efficiency will go out the door,” Mr Hartley said.

When asked about Taiwanese and Chinese quad bikes filling the vacuum, Mr Hartley said farmers don’t want them.

“It’s like Holden, Ford and Toyota, they prefer brands they’ve relied on,” he said. “And they wouldn’t support the Chinese after what they’ve done to Australia.”

Yamaha marketing manager Sean Goldhawk said the company was no longer selling utility quad bikes, but like other manufacturers reported a recent surge in the sale of side-by-side vehicles.

“Farmers seem to have taken them on, even though they’re a little bit more expensive,” Mr Goldhawk said.

Mr Poyton said sales of CF MOTO side-by-sides had also taken off, with not a single one left in stock.